Letters

Brazzil, Go Home

I am so sick and tired of reading about how much you cannot stand the U.S. or Americans. If you are so bitter against this country then what the hell are you doing here? If Brazil is sooooooo great why aren't you living there? You are so jealous of Americans you can't even breathe! As if the U.S. was to blame for your country's problems!

You comment on every shit stinking thing that this country does! Go home! It is obvious that you use your little magazine as a way to vent your anger and frustrations of coming from a poverty stricken country where the government controls the people. You talk about the U.S. being afraid? Why don't you go to Brazil and complain to your own jackass pathetic president, and political parties?

Don't take it out on us because you have to live outside of your own country because you can't find a job that pays you enough to even put food on the table. You are so pathetic. You cry out in the U.S. over all your problems, but don't have the balls to make a comment back in your own Third World garbage country. If it wasn't for all the billions we've lent you and tourist dollars that flush into the country on an annual basis, Brazil wouldn't even exist. You talk about how the U.S. only does what's good for them and not your country? Well, what the hell has Brazil ever done for us, besides put us in debt? Name one thing your country has done for the U.S.!

You suck! Maybe when your so-called government stops providing free concerts on Copacabana beach, and starts paying back maybe some of the interest on the billion dollar loans that we've lent them, then maybe, just maybe you can open your mouth. Until then keep it shut. You make your own people look bad with the ignorance you portray in your uneducated comments.

Boy do you sound stupid! I've passed many of your articles around my office, and I work for a fortune 500 company (do you know what that is?) with people who make millions of dollars, and people have laughed and said "do they realize how stupid they sound and how stupid they make themselves, people, and their country look?" You're a disgrace to the Brazilian race! My friends and I "used" to love Brazil, the people, music, food etc, now I am so turned off, I don't even want to be associated with that culture whatsoever anymore.

Your comments are very ugly and should be kept to yourself. Poor little Brazil, "I feel so bad for my country that I don't even want to live there!" You're disgusting. You're lucky I don't send local Brazilians from my neighborhood, who hate you and your asinine magazine, down to your publishing office to protest. All you do is talk about how the U.S. should do this for Brazil, and the U.S. should do that... Why don't you do it?

All you do is sit around on your ass printing bullshit articles about how jealous and bitter you are of Americans! You love to hate us! Brazil does and has done nothing for society except for pumping out aids. Samba, sex, sun, and soccer, that's your brilliant motto, your wonderful, small minded little way of life. Brazil will never improve because jackasses like you are too afraid to open your mouth to make a change so instead you have to go out and do it in other peoples countries where you think you'll get some support.

Educated people far and wide are laughing at you and your pathetic whimsicle (sic) (do you know what that word means?) magazine. How dare you make a comment on how we handle terrorism in this country. How dare you! Thousands of people lost their lives, and you show no respect. I'm going to make a collection of your negative, hatred articles and have them printed in local newspapers not only in New York but around the country.

You really should get deported. You don't deserve to be in this country. By the way, tell me again what purpose Brazil serves in this world? What have they done for their people? What have they given back to U.S.? As I previously mentioned, you are just a lousy, worthless, bitter, jealous, ignorant immigrant filled with hate and jealousy. You really need to go back to your Third World country as soon as possible.

You're nothing but a jealous loser. You make all other immigrants here look bad. The U.S. is afraid? Maybe you should take a look at yourself and the fact that you don't even live in the country you were born in. Where would you be today if the U.S. didn't exist? In a favela somewhere running for your life, that's where. It's you, you're the one that's afraid, you moron. Don't ever let me receive another one of your loathing, uninformative, vindictive, crap magazines.

And while you're at it, go learn how to speak English, you don't know how to read or write either. Let me guess, you earned your education from the wonderful schooling system in Brazil? Another worthless attribute. Does Brazil know how to do anything? You're really dumb!

Cintia
Long Beach, New York

Doctor, Heal Yourself

Brazil should fix its own problems before it decides to join the bandwagon of hatred against the USA. At least the USA educates its young people! What does Brazil do for its young people? Nothing! Everyone knows this is true. You gun down your own children, killing them like they are roaches. You don't offer education or anyway out of poverty, that's why AIDS is spreading. Also teenagers pregnant, bring more poor babies into this cruel circle. You have some nerve! Clean up your own back yard before you put down other countries!

Brazil ignores its own problems and points its jealous finger at America, while at the same time, beg for money to help your own miserable situation. Without the tourists from America and Europe, Brazil would not survive, everyone knows this. Before you curse another, help the black Brazilians that you ignore, help the Indians you ignore, help the young people that you view as pests, educate your ignorant young people and give all Brazilians a chance at a good life!

One fed-up Black Brasileira
Via Internet

Gloom & Doom

Do you really think publishing articles like the ones Brazzil publishes ad any value? 50 million Brazilians are poor, 32 million don't have access to clean water, and 24 million are illiterate. Why not try to help Brazilians instead of instigating hatred!

Via Internet

Adoption Blues

I read your article about the street kids. If they have parents who have allowed them to go onto the streets why can't the parents be contacted to give permission for their kids to be adopted?

While I can have my own children, I would much prefer to take a child, like in your article, and give that child a decent and comfortable life. As I feel, that the children who are offered up for adoption, through the courts already have a better chance how would it be possible to adopt a street child? Why are these kids not given the same opportunities to be on some kind of adoption register? Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Christine
Via Internet

Great News

Brazzil is great. I learned more about Brazil by reading 4 of your articles than 6 months of analysis by CNN, The Economist, Christian Science Monitor, and The Wall Street Journal combined. Thanks.

K. K.
Via Internet

Brazil Primer

Dear John Fitzpatrick, just want to say that I've been reading your articles with great interest since arriving in Brazil and taking a Brazilian bride. I think your last ("I'll Miss You, Fernando" — www.brazzil.com/p106jan03.htm ) deserves special recognition because you've done what no other writer has done before (including Joseph A. Page in The Brazilians) and that is to sum up the problem here in this great but sadly backward country, clearly and succinctly.

You've written what has fallen from my mouth on many occasions and that is that Brazilians need to take responsibility for the mess that Brazil is currently in. Sadly, however, 90 percent of them have never traveled to Canada (my homeland) or Scotland or any other developed nation and fathom the idea that simple everyday actions, coupled with a dose of responsibility, could pave the way for a better Brazil.

It's not that difficult a leap. However as you so rightly wrote, it is something that is completely lost on the majority of Brazilians—including the better educated and well traveled. I hope your article stirs up a hornet's nest, because the debate needs to be started—and if, or probably more to the fact, WHEN, you start receiving dozens of irate e-mails and responses from Brazilians—just remember you're 100 percent right. As I tell my wife daily, I can love this country, but if I don't complain, it won't get better. Parabéns! I look forward to all your future writings.

Todd Southgate
www.lagoavirtual.com 

Lula Must Cool Down

Hi, John: Greetings from London. Just read your article on Brazil and Lula in Brazzil. I have been a great fan of Brazil and things Brazilian (especially the music) from childhood and found your insights as an expatriate quite revealing. I am watching closely to see what kinds of changes Lula will be able to make. Methinks he will have to water down the socialist rhetoric considerably.

John
Great Britain

Smart Viewpoint

John, just wanted to compliment you on the great essay on this month's Brazzil. You cleverly provide us, Brazilians abroad, with a realistic point of view. I really enjoy your writing.

Drey Dias
New York, New York

Elitist Rubbish

John, I have read your columns for several months now, after living in Brazil (mostly in São Paulo) for the last year and a half. And while I find your definition of the problems here to be fairly accurate, your remedies are paternalistic. I feel you simply need a large caipirinha and a few days on the beach. You write as if you are very uptight, and even worse, condescending.

I fail to see how your continuing confrontational ways are going to change anyone's mind, which you seemingly have some desperate need to do. A more cynical reader might guess you are simply trying to be controversial to gain readership, logic be damned. Furthermore, you contradict yourself as you write. How can Brazilians be passive yet drive like maniacs? Be passive and yet refuse to depend on the police to get cats out of trees? Do you believe this Ozzie and Harriet world of the USA really exist?

Currently the USA, where I was born and raised, has by some statistics more black men in jail than in college. People of color there cannot even drive without being harassed. Yet here you complain about no one calling the police, feeling free to drive. Which I feel is correct—people here take care of themselves more than you think. They are tolerant of noise and don't sue each other at every chance—asking courts to solve their problems. Which society has more of an inferiority complex?

Perhaps it is YOU that needs to have their ass wiped for himself—the Brazilians seem to be much less dependant on the government, which is therefore weaker. I feel we are better for it. I also found yourself very contradictory concerning Lula and the people who elected him. You claim that people here are inferior, elected Lula who is like them, yet he has little chance to be a great leader because, well, he lacks aristocrat tendencies, which most agree largely created the country's problems. WTF?

I guess I'm saying that not getting upset over waiting a few more seconds in a bread line is smarter than wasting energy on a violent idiot. I'd rather see someone blow a red light than a cop pulling someone over due to racial profiling.

I've read this inferiority argument in several books about Brazil and it has yet to change anyone's mind. If you would like to see a country that has superiority complex, well we all know where that is. I'm of Polish heritage, by the way. And I like Scotland, even though they have an inferiority complex of being a British colony for the last 300 years ;-). (Been to Ireland, Wales and the UK, but not Scotland). Still, you might be able to show me where to buy good UK beer here in São Paulo.

Iksrazal
São Paulo, Brazil

Out of Control

I always defended the idea that Fernando Henrique Cardoso was a good president. I also always told Brazilians (my countrymen) that Brazil does not have an easy solution. I do not agree when people come to me talking only bad things about Cardoso. Mainly because he was a man of honor and respect before he became the President of Brazil. FHC did what any other good president would do and gave Brazil a better projection in the international arena. However, you have written correctly when you mentioned that he could have done better about the serious social issues that Brazil is facing currently.

I grew up in Brazil and I remember when you could walk in the street without having to fight for your life. Well, crime was present there, of course, but many super developed countries also face the same crime rate that Brazil had 20 years ago. As you know, the North America is not free of violent crimes, organized crime or corruption. The Americans and Canadians indeed have their evils, but the wave of crimes in Brazil today is close to be considered completely out of control.

Some time ago I sent President Cardoso a letter requesting from him a strong action against crime and corruption. I am not sure how Lula will handle this situation so drastic in my country. I am not sure either if he will care much about it since I believe he will just spend much of his time inebriated with the idea of being the most powerful man in Brazil. However we are going to be able to better judge him in time. After one year facing all the social ills, severe criticisms and economical difficulties, he will start to feel the heavy burden of being the president.

As I said, Brazil has no simple solution, but it does have a solution. Your article inviting a major change of mentality in Brazil is absolutely accurate. We need an educational revolution in our country. However, I must confess that I am proud of the old Brazilian way of life when comes to social tolerance, openness and friendship. But I am entirely irritated with the slow way the Brazilians react to their social problems and needs.

My father, a very European type of man, with a strong attitude and solid character, told me last November, when he came to visit me here from Brazil, that he is very disappointed with the Brazilian people. This is understandable because my grandparents arrived in Brazil in meager circumstances and there they improved their social and economical conditions to much better. Brazil was indeed the land of opportunity for those who wanted to work hard.

I respectfully disagree with you about your statement that it is almost impossible for Brazil to become a superpower like the US. This is, maybe, a statement you have put forward anchored in you disappointment with the actual lack of action and responsibility of the Brazilian people. Brazil can and will change. The Brazilian people are very ingenious. Education is a question of a good government and right management. Many Brazilians are highly educated and have international reputation in their fields of activities. We are a sport oriented nation and highly competitive. True, we are, in general, a little tired of violence and sometimes easily intimidated as you observed. All we need is great leaders and great ideals, as you let it transpired in your article.

Talking now about your comparison between Brazil and the US; this country here got over 40 millions immigrants mainly coming from Europe. Brazil, by the other hand, got a mere 4 millions Europeans. The native Brazilians were a people accustomed to a very different style of life from the one brought by the Europeans, it is hard to blame the Indians for not responding so quickly. As you know, Europe did not move from barbarian state to advanced society in few generations.

The blacks, in their turn, were abducted, humiliated and treated as pariahs for many generations up to the present day; hard to blame on them, however they will have to accept the past, bury it, and adapt, eventually. By comparison, the American blacks are, mostly, the ones inhabiting the Ghettos of New York and other big cities, and their social status is only because they are suffering a cultural and social shock passed by generations before them. It is ripple traveling through generations. The blacks, in the whole American continent, are having a hard time to let this shock to settle, the same goes for the American Natives.

Therefore, who is to blame for the Brazilian fiasco; the Catholics? This is a very old and wearing argument. I am not Catholic, but I do respect the religion. Maybe we should blame on the tropical weather; hard to have shanty towns in a very temperate climate; this is also an outdated argument, as you may know. Maybe because some countries became rich too fast and they shamelessly subjected the poor countries in development; this is the argument of the feeble.

The government in Brazil is always viewed as some kind of Savior; the Brazilians expect nothing less of miracle from anybody occupying the presidency. Lula now is contemplated as some sort of Messiah. For the Brazilians, the president is the man that will bring relief to the suffering of millions by just doing a miracle change here and there. This is the type of mentality far from the reality of life. Lula is a very simple man and may not be able to deliver the job, however nobody really knows.

Finally, I believe that the superpower Brazil will take longer than we have planned, but it will happen and we are going to need the social changes that America received many years ago from a massive immigration. The only difference is that we are going to have to do the same without overpopulating our lands. This, I believe, will take a leadership entirely different from the style so far portrayed. The right government shall not be a Russian or American or even European style of government but a Brazilian style of government, and I mean in the good sense. Is Lula the man? I have no idea but we may learn from the experience.

Sergio Tunes
San Diego, California

Greener on the Other Side?

Dear John, having just read your article "I'll miss you, Fernando", on the Brazzil website, I cannot help but make a few comments. I have recently returned to live in Brazil after having spent the last 6 years in Europe, including 3 years at university in the UK. Despite the bias of my Brazilian nationality, I will try to remain as objective as possible on my remarks.

I do agree with most points you raised and, having had the opportunity to live abroad and experience a different notion of "citizenship", I have reacted very similarly to you in many aspects of life in Brazil. However, I also believe you are ignoring important developments in Brazilian society and perhaps even of your own European counterparts.

Every week in London, as I endured the average 25 minutes queue time at the bank, I wondered whether Brazilian people would tolerate that situation in silence. I wondered whether I would be frowned upon the way I did by the same people who were queuing, as I complained that it was lunchtime on a Monday morning and people were queuing around the block because there was only one lady to see everyone, and she wouldn't even smile at the clients, let alone be flexible enough to sort out their problems rapidly and efficiently.

I also wondered how many years of life Britons were losing everyday as they waited hours for the delayed train that would also be crammed with people and could possibly crash due to inefficient maintenance. Or how tired people would be as they get home after being stuck for half an hour in a crowded underground train that lacks a ventilation system. Perhaps they could drive the next day to work...?

Possibly, if they are willing to spend at least a few dozens pounds on congestion charges, parking meters, petrol as well as the actual cost of maintaining a car. I am afraid to say that the same feeling of hopelessness and impotence I have felt while stuck for 2 hours on the Avenida Brasil traffic jam, I have also felt in too many instances in the UK.

That is not to say, in any way, that the level of stress and lawlessness is comparable between the UK and Brazil. What I am trying to say is that the problems of every large city has a deeply rooted fundamental cause, and this is likely to require a groundbreaking, revolutionary change of some sort—in the case of London, the complete replacement of the London Underground for a newer, more modern system, for example, and in Brazil, the annihilation of corruption in politics.

I do agree that European citizens tend to acknowledge and debate their issues in much more depth than Brazilians do, but to what extent they can actually do something about it is beyond me. And let us not forget that the Brazilian press has also changed fundamentally in the last few years, surfacing any hint of mutreta (scam) as it appears, and uncovering many absurdities that would have perhaps gone unnoticed ten years ago, as was the case of the former candidate for presidency Roseana Sarney and the SUDAM scandal.

I believe it is important that you raise the points that you did raise, but I would also like to see the many positive changes Brazil has undergone debated. Furthermore, there is one question I would like to have the pleasure to read you ideas on, and that is, what is your proposal for change? In what ways do you think each individual in Brazil could make a difference, if not through the same means Venezuelans are doing at the moment? How do you think the security issue could be reduced if citizens complain? If a cute black kid approaches my car at the traffic lights, if I don't shut the window, what else could I do that would make Brazil a better country?

Of course I do believe that the power of the individual and the mentality of the masses is key for change. However, I don't see how that could be enhanced in Brazil, at this point in history, other than through the direct vote; after all, we are the largest democracy in the world.

Ana Carolina
London, England

We Need a Hero

Hi John,

Unfortunately, I have to agree with you…your text, "I'll Miss You, Fernando" (www.brazzil.com/p106jan03.htm), describes pretty well how we, Brazilians, live, or better, survive. Of course, the life in São Paulo is different, is like any other big city. I guess you have been in New York or Cairo: messy, polluted and with a lot of problems. Seems that, in some sick way, this is part of our nature.

Anyway, my point is that we, unlike some other countries, don't have real heroes to look up to. At least, that is the way I see the situation. Sadly, we still see the malandro as a real hero and some one that most of us want to be. The real problem is that this "hero without moral" is selfish and egomaniac. It doesn't matter whether the society improves or not as long as he gets the best part of the pie. He is just another chico esperto as our Portuguese friends say.

Hopefully one day we will have a real hero in our history, someone who our kids will want to be and follow his/her steps. I am not saying that we don't have heroes in our sad history, but we don't have one that is part of our day-to-day thoughts. It is good that you are bringing these things up and showing us the reality, but don't expect nice words. We don't do very well with criticism.

Roberto
Via Internet

The Right to Complain

Mr. Fitzpatrick, I thoroughly enjoy your columns in Brazzil magazine. I find myself agreeing totally with your viewpoints through my experiences in Brazil as an American. It is obvious to me that you love Brazil as well, and for this very reason you point out the shortcomings of its society. I have often told my friends that it is perfectly acceptable for a Brazilian to lament about the social inequalities and squalor of their homeland, but no foreigner is allowed to do so without receiving the wrath of the same Brazilian.

I was married to a Brasileira, and my children are half Brazilian, one quarter Mexican, and one quarter Texan. I visit there once a year, and I am absolutely enamored of their country. Since I have also learned to speak Portuguese, I also feel that I am entitled to complain about the inequalities that exist in Brazilian society as well. I am not of the ilk that perceives that all things American are superior in this world, rather I will call a spade a spade whether it is in Brazil, America or Scotland. It is obvious to me that you do as well. Keep up the good work. In my humble admiration.

Greg Oldham
Via Internet

Chaos Explained

I am a 46-year-old Portuguese-American who just returned from a three-week visit to Praia Grande, São Paulo. Your article really hit home for me, and helped me to understand some of the chaos I witnessed in Brazil. Obrigado...

Ron
Linden, New Jersey

Gangs of Brazil

John, I just read some of your articles. I am from the USA and just spent seven months in the Northeast and South of Brazil. You captured all the issues that I saw. Some other things include: massive alcohol use and alcoholism, the fact that Brazil never had a people's revolution like the USA or France, massive internal population growth—30 million to 170 million in 80 years.

Add to this, pathetic distribution of land (imagine the wealth of just 5 percent of the land in the hands of millions of small family farms!), wasteful sugar cane land use, US military-CIA backed corruption of political process over the last 70 years.

In 1964, when USA guns on war ships were in Rio harbor they pointed at government offices. Why do you think they then moved the capital? Brazilians have addictions of every sort—football, sex, vice, etc— and the small upper class controls everything in economy (568 rich families in São Paulo have helicopters, in NYC only 12 have them).

Really, Sampa and all of Brazil is New York City in 1842 just like in the new movie Gangs of New York, with groups and subgroups fighting for power, a story that will take decades to fulfill. No more time to write now... Enjoyed your articles.

Mike
Via Internet

Tough Talk

Aloha, John. You must have the biggest balls in the world to go off on the Brazilians like that. Keep up the good work and accurate observations

Mahalo Mark
Hawaii

On Target

Dear Mr. Fitzpatrick, I'm an American who has lived and worked in São José dos Campos, Brazil, for a little over a year. Your article was the perfect summation, without exception, of what I myself have seen and experienced.

Dr. Robert R. Crispin
São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil

We Are in War

Dear John Fitzpatrick, I live in America and I would say that I agree with most of what you said, but there are things I have seen in my country that are different from things that I have seen here only in quantity, such as crime. I do agree that Brazilians lack responsibility, but I wonder if it's been always like that or if it is a result of northern imperialism attitude towards the Third World itself. After all, we will always be seen as "them" and not "us" by most of the "civilized countries"—if there is such a thing—and so will be Africa, Central America, etc.

But I want to call your attention to the historical process. Ask yourself where is Brazil right now when compared to the USA history? Probably, Brazil is on the edge of a civil war—better, it is in the middle of a civil war; it differs from America in style, because it is not an organized war, there are no political parts. Rather, there is people's own interest in saving their skin since it has become the best you can do if you always trying to run away from misery. And misery is a terrible thing.

I am pretty sure that you have never lived close to it (I mean close to become a miserable) and how can you like yourself when you know you are not worth a shit? And if you don't like yourself why would you like somebody else? I think that's a sort of sub-conciousness people developed thru the years. And while some bust their asses working and being honest, others steal or live out of other people's efforts. Look at America, it is a great country, but it is also a big mortgage company, a big bank and it helped Europe to be rebuild from war. And what it cost? Misery to those who aren't important in the world mise-in-scène.

Isn't that amazing that the two strongest countries to fight the allies (Japan and Germany) today enjoy a healthy economy when compared to some allies. Oh yes, the Japanese and German people are better. Come on, we are all humans and the problem is worldwide—misery not poverty. People has become more and more rude everywhere.

What you see in Brazil are things you can't spot on your own country, but they are there too. Just go to a poor neighborhood, and I am pretty sure you are going to find many similarities with Brazil just driving a few miles into any miserable place. Still, I agree with you that Brazilians do need a mental revolution. They do need to change their attitude. It might come to happen some day or never, but what about the so-called First World, will that ever change? Will we be one world some day such as the term globalization suggests? I doubt it. There will always be the rulers and the ruled.

It is a shame, I know. I feel really sorry, and unfortunately that's all I can say.

Marcelo Araújo
Via Internet

If I Could I Would

Hi, John. As an American who used to live in Brazil, I would have to say your comments were right on the money. Although prepare yourself for the hate mail! :) In spite of everything that happens there, I'd go back in a second if the opportunity arose. I love it there.

R G
San Francisco, California

Money Is All They Want

Dear John Fitzpatrick,

Some articles from the American press are usually presented as to disdain the actual political intents of most countries in Latin America. Countries, like Brazil, are desperately trying to gain some economical and social dignity. Some of the American journalists are taking once more the opportunity to lessen the region for the reason that bashing "the world beneath the heavens" is a hobby for their media.

Brazil took a step toward left; however, the Brazilian people are not giving permission to the newest president to move to a communist regime, as far as I know. The real concern of the world class banks, when it comes to Latin America, is about how much exploitation they want to keep going there and not a great deal about the democratic rights of the people. Do they really care about the Latin America democracy as long they can keep the bleeding flowing?

Because the banks are extremely afraid that the doors of Brazil, the largest economy of Latin America and of the south hemisphere, could close to such easy and profitable exploitation, they are, obviously, screaming hysterically. However, Brazil will not close its doors but it will probably demand more respect and partnership with the Americans and Europeans, So, what is wrong with that? There is no fault there. But since this possibly means more unselfish partnership from the big banks and corporations with Brazil, they are not very happy. I believe this is very simple to notice.

Many great world economists and leaders are looking the political shift of Brazil independently from other Latin American countries. But the American media loves stereotyping. So, they look the whole region as it was a single nation or culture. They rapidly link the events happening in different countries as a single social event for all. It makes so much easier to analyze the region. Then, Brazil political life becomes intimately related to Ecuador, for example, or Venezuela, or Cuba. Those are signs of single mindedness.

Brazil will be in the hand of a very simple man, no doubts. Maybe he will do something good for the Brazilians instead of doing something only profitable for the Americans and Europeans. How could this be wrong? Maybe he will not succeed and then bring a large and great nation to an economical arrest, nobody can really tell. There are big risks there. There were also big risks when Americans were capable of choosing a president originated from the lower social classes and not from the current elites. Today this is a reserved game for the very top American elite as it was until recently a game reserved for the Brazilian elite.

The Brazilians chose a different path from the past. This is unconceivable for the newest North American generation. However, Brazil still is under development and we Brazilians still can enjoy the earlier romantic era of the United States. It is very good to be an American, a truly one.

Sergio Tunes
San Diego, California

From Republic to Empire

Read the article in which you say, "Our futurologist in residence peers into the future and reveals how everything goes wrong in the Lula administration and how in 180 days Brazil goes from broke to chaos and beyond, in a Simpsons-like scenario - www.brazzil.com/p105jan03.htm

You and many Brazilians must be very worried! I think Lula's policies in 2003 may very well lead to destabilization of the world markets!

George H. Fichtl
Huntsville, Alabama

Puerile Babble

Dear Editors, this article ("From Republic to Empire") is awful, of very bad taste, and childish. Why the author cowardly is hiding his name and contact?

Sergio Tunes
Via Internet

Bush Doesn't Speak for Us

I stumbled across Mr. Amaral's recent article in your magazine and I was inspired to just make a few comments. I happen to read your mag because I am seeking employment outside of the US. I am A 25 yr old Afr-Amer female, and yes I live in the US. I am particularly disturbed by our government and its policies since, oh lets see, since I could read! I am adamantly opposed to the US "meddling" that it seems we have become so famous for.

Believe you me, there are plenty of wars that Mr. Bush could choose to fight right here in his own country. I believe that the US feels some "global police" obligation that they have been acting on for many years now. It is long overdue that America stay out of the business of other countries unless their activities pose a significant threat to the people of this country. Further, trust me, not all Americans are feeling this BS, that is basically putting our lives at jeopardy.

The common person in this country is not heard, what I think about what Mr. Bush is doing will never be heard. Hell, in the US African-Americans are still oppressed, still ostracized, and still grossly underrepresented. This is why I have made a decision for my family at an early age. I will not allow my children to grow up in the US. I cannot allow my children and their fate to rest upon some money/oil crazed maniac who wants to see a profit.

We (A-A) already know Mr. Bush cares 0 percent about our communities and the problems facing our racist country, In Texas alone, 33 people received capital punishment in 2002. That is more than twice any other state in the US. In Texas, during the year of 1998 or '99, A black man was hooked to the back of a pick-up truck and dragged to his death. The following year Bush ran for the presidency, and was asked by this black man's daughter to sign a hate crime bill that would mandate capital punishment for such heinous crimes. Mr. Bush declined. Why? We know it's not because he hates capital punishment, his former state executes more people a year that the whole country.

So, in summary, don't be so quick to decide that "Americans" support their government. This American is running from our government,

C Edwards
Via Internet

Right On!

Just read "Our Future Is Now" on the US and terrorism - www.brazzil.com/p106dec02.htm - and want to affirm that you received my check to get a paper copy. Brazzil rocks and not only do I want to read future copies, but want to support it. Thanx.

Jim Vander Veer
Via Internet

Making It Worse

Mr. Amaral, for Brazil to pull off what you are rambling on about it will need to learn to understand what is going on in the world and not just their own country. Brazil needs to understand that a lot of their problems are their own fault. The terrorist attacks and the U.S. having to protect itself is not the fault of the U.S. and just about everything you talked about in your article is conspiracy and just simply your closed minded point of view.

Why don't you let me kick you in between your legs and steal your wallet and then we'll see if you try to protect yourself or if you just let me keep doing it repeatedly until you can no longer function. Is that what you expect the U.S. to do? I'm sorry if all these problems (started by other nations/organizations) are causing problems for other nations/organizations but, it is not the U.S. that is at fault. It is our responsibility to protect ourselves. Somebody died so that you could live the way that you live. Yet, all you can do is bitch about the economy and ramble on about how Brazil is going to replace America. Well, if Brazil is ever going to even compare to America then it needs to learn how to play nicely, otherwise they are just going to continue digging this whole that has gotten way too deep.

All your views seem based solely on financial issues. Has it occurred to you that money is not worth anything if you aren't here to enjoy it? Your anti-Americanism disgusts me. Many people died for my freedom. Are we supposed to just sit back and let all those deaths become vain? So as not to upset Brazil's economy? I can see how you can be confused when it comes to the issues of the war on Iraq and terrorism, but for somebody that seems to do his homework you sure are horribly mislead. If we don't take out Saddam who could be helping these terrorist then we (or maybe even Brazil) could end up paying for it some day. And Saudi Arabia's time will come.

Hopefully this horrible wave of anti-Americanism in Brazil will stop before we have any problems with Brazil. Brazil has its place and I assure you it's not on the battlefield. And about the economy of Brazil, about the only chance they have to survive is to switch to the euro. They should have when they had the chance. But, wouldn't that cause a sovereignty problem? Does Brazil even meet the standards to use the euro? And in case you don't already know, Brazil's economy is about the size of California's.

I'm sure you are a talented journalist, but you need to use that gift for more positive things. I think that you should take time to learn what is really going on in this planet and use your ability to communicate positive messages that promote cooperation not anti-Americanism. If you haven't noticed already, when problems arise these days they affect many people and countries. You shouldn't be contributing to the problem.

I love Brazil, I have been there multiple times and the problems the country faces really upsets me, but people like you are only going to make things worse.

Jeremy Robinson
Via Internet

Hard Time in the Bank

The author of this article ("The Future Is Now") thinks that people around the world will begin to shift some of their assets to Brazil as the U.S. and other economies weakens. I am not sure how the people are supposed to make this happen. I am a U.S. citizen, during a recent visit to Brazil I attempted to open a Brazilian bank account to use for the purpose of buying real estate. After many attempts I was not able to shift money to Brazil. How will the financial institutions of Brazil prosper if it is so difficult for a non-citizen to deposit their hard earned assets?

Jason E. Cooper
Via Internet

The War Drums

Hi Ricardo,

I nearly read your article in Brazzil, but I got only through the first three pages of ranting and raving and decided that it was a joke and started laughing. Very funny, but April 1^st is not till next year. You, Cheney, Jader, Brizola, and the other dinosaurs are on the way out. Give it a break, or as an academic (Read : Cant find a job right?) you just want the publicity through controversy? So many holes and flaws in you logic; its like a piece of Swiss cheese. You teach this as well? God help the students.

John Miller
Via Internet

Good Reading

Mr. Amaral, except for the last thirty-four words, your article made me laugh! I agree with you almost to the word; but was your purpose too keep us from shooting ourselves after reading your article, by adding some humor at the end. Thanks for your thoughts.

Denny Goodwin
San Diego, California

All These Questions

Dear Mr. Amaral, I found it interesting that you mentioned in your article "Our Future Is Now" that the only missing ingredient is a strong currency. It reminded me that Brazil might first have to get rid of EXTRA ingredients such as corruption and organized crime. What do you think of the latest rise in violence in Rio? Will the government be able to fight it? Do you think Lula is aware of it? How can Brazil stop this influx of drugs and arms?

Beatric
Via Internet

Liberalism Is Bankrupt

Hello, Ricardo, I always make it a habit to write and thank people who submit articles to Brazzil because I often learn a lot. However, your article is about the dumbest one I have seen yet. You are living in some kind of leftwing commie fantasy world. Meu Deus, man. This cute statement you made disqualifies anything else you have to say: "Somebody must enjoy literature and the story of "Ali Baba and the 40 thieves." That story probably gave them the idea of creating: "Osama bin Laden and the 40 terrorists." (19 terrorists died in airplane crashes, one of them missed his plane and ended up in jail, and the other 20 terrorists are still around somewhere."

You can not attempt to write a serious piece, inject language like this, and have anything else you might have to say taken seriously. Finally, you say this: "The future has arrived for Brazil; as soon as Brazil adopts the Euro as its new currency, all the other pieces will fall into place, and Brazil will become the greatest country of this new century."

You are an economist? With your ideas you couldn't balance a checkbook, my friend. Brazil will become the greatest country of this new century? What kind of crack brained fantasy world are you living in? What are you smoking? Obviously you must be influential and working hard to set current fiscal policy in Brazil, as evidenced by the continuing chaos there.

The ONLY way that Brazil will ever break the yoke of oppression that has kept it bound to a cycle of misery followed by violence is to reject leftwing tax and spend liberals like yourself and enter into a U.S. style economic conservatism. Unfortunately, I can't see this ever happening. The poor will remain poor and eggheads like yourself will continue to prosper...riding on their backs. When the light of truth is shined on you guys all you can do is to scurry back into the shadows. When a conservative defeats you with logic, and you have nothing left to offer, you begin to whine and cry large tears. Sorry Ricardo. I've been studying Brazil for the past few years now. It's painfully obvious that the only thing that can change it is a good dose of conservatism, and you liberals pretty well have the place sewn up. Not much chance that truth and reason will ever flourish.

The liberals there are bankrupt of workable solutions, and so goes Brazil. If making fun of the U.S. makes you feel better, then do more of it. The powers that run the U.S. simply could care less. You would do much better to try and do what you can to make a friend of the U.S. instead of making fun of her. Right now, you're beneath her notice. Every time you write an article like this, you just make yourself look like a fool.

Grow up. Wise up. There's still time. Be the one to see the light and urge the government to lower taxes and encourage business creation. Be a hero...not a stooge.

Norman Morriso
Via Internet

Would Sue You

Mr. Amaral, I don't agree with the current administration in a whole lot of issues, including the pending war in Iraq, but the kind of crap that you wrote can only be the result of a paranoid mind. I don't sue you because you are protected by the same rights that you don't seem to care for.

Renato Levy
Rockville, Maryland

Bush Nightmare

Dear Mr. Ricardo, I have read your recent article regarding "Osama Bin Laden and the 40 terrorists". To tell you the truth, your topic of discussion is a good one. I simply feel that Mr. George Bush is looking for the one and only Iraqi physicist who is a woman and who can actually detonate a missile key launcher.

This woman holds the key to all the missiles launcher programs in the Middle East. I wonder, why Bush is so eager to chase after her? It turns out to be a nightmare for any third world country students who wish to learn science subjects in the US because it is just too risky. Thanks once again regarding "Osama Bin Laden and the 40 terrorists". You're simply a genius.

Lina
Via Internet

Don't Wait for Miracles

Dear Mr. Amaral,

I read with interest you article in Brazzil, but I don't share your enthusiasm. In particular, I think you underestimate the difficulty of upholding contracts in Brazil, which has always been, to use Gunnar Myrdal's definition, a `soft' rather than a contractualistic society. I doubt any single action, such as introducing the euro, will make all the pieces magically fall into place.

The article entitled "Lula, the man who does not want to be president" — www.brazzil.com/p103dec02.htm  — in the same issue of Brazzil, highlights some attitudes that have barred progress for the last 500 years. Even if Brazil gets out of its debt-cum-inflation quandary, there is still a long, painful road to tackle before the country gets significant world projection, let alone superpower status.

Paulo César Mendes
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

You Said It All

Ricardo, sou leitora assídua da Brazzil e seu texto "Our Future Is Now" é absolutamente fantástico. Moro na Holanda e sou formada em Ciências Econômicas e Políticas por uma universidade do Rio de Janeiro. Muito obrigada por trazer textos tão interessantes e bem escritos como esse. É uma alegria imensa para mim, que como milhares de brasileiros, não mora mais na "terrinha" e não tem mais a possibilidade de discutir idéias com outros brasileiros. Muito sucesso para você em 2003. Um abraço,

Cristiane Quinteir
Netherlands

Ah, the Memories

It was refreshing to read your article on Brazil. I traveled there in 1991 and have not been back since. It seemed to have changed very little from your description of it. Personally, I went with a radio station here in Chicago, collectively the petition listeners to travel with them; we went down with a plane of 357 persons. Going with a group tends to give you a little more security when traveling out of the country.

I did get to go one on one with the statue of Christ, which left me awe inspired, shopping on Copacabana Avenue is forever imprinted within my mind, street vendors with everything from hand woven table clothes, handmade sequined dresses on racks (no doubt) to handmade machete made of horse teeth, snake skins, cat eyes and fur, bottle fruit wine...........and, oh, the night clubs, dancing till 5 and 7 am, luscious steak dinners at fine Italian restaurants, Sugar Loaf Mountain (ha, ha) Pão de Açúcar, the Oba Oba and Plataforma shows.

I guess I was more of a tourist there, even visiting the night clubs where the performance was real live sex at the Lido (interesting no doubt) but nothing like it in Chicago. Possibly I shall visit again.... I did share your concerns with the cleanliness of the ocean, although I hung on the beach across from the Rio Atlântica and Othon topless, I never got in the water. Thanks for the memories.

Currently, each year since then (sometimes twice a year) I have made Jamaica my travel spot—you can't beat swanky hotels with all inclusive drink and beautifully designed healthy meal plans, friendly people, an abundance of smoke products, tropical scenery with crystal clear blue waters, pools, spas and hot tubs, and lots of duty free shopping and entertainment, plus it's only a 4 hour flight from Chicago direct with Air Jamaica, Brazil was 11 hours direct on Varig.

Passion711
Via Internet

How to Become a Brazilian

Dear Mr. Quintanilla,

I just finished reading your article "On Advice of Consul" in Brazzil — www.brazzil.com/p110dec02.htm — regarding Lula and immigration issues. The timing was perfect and I was hoping you might be able to give me a bit of information and/or advice. I am an American currently living in Brazil and Lula granting amnesty to all immigrants in Brazil would be something of great interest to me (I think you can read between the lines here).

I've been told that Fernando Henrique granted amnesty during both of his 4 year terms. I'm trying to find out how I can monitor this issue here in Brazil ... to find out `if' this might happen with Lula and `when' it might happen. I'd also like to know if he grants amnesty would it include Americans currently living here illegally. Once it's granted does one just simply step up and fill out the paper work?

On the other side of the coin. If Lula doesn't grant amnesty I'd like to learn about all possible ways an American citizen can live in Brazil legally ... with the ability to obtain a CPF, etc.. Any advice on where to acquire reliable information? At this point I'm only aware of the following options: become a student, get married, or get a work visa. Any information and/or advice would be greatly appreciated. I thank you in advance for your time.

An American
Via Internet

If Only Australia…

Mr. Quintanilla,

Very thoughtful and well researched article. I wish we had someone like you fighting for the rights of Brazilians who want to migrate, study or simply visit Australia! At times the red tape, negativeness and general obstructionism put up by the Australian Immigration Dept is nothing short of absurd, especially when you consider Australia would have a declining population growth if it were not for net inflow of migrants and refugees.

I am an Australian who has married a Brazilian with a daughter, and living in Brazil for the past seven years. I now consider Brazil my permanent residence (and equivalent Brazilian Visa status to support this), and in the process of taking out dual citizenship. Now all I have to do is learn the words to the National Anthem (and for sure it is one of the most beautiful national anthems in the world). Best wishes,

John Miller
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

English Learned Here

Hello Brazzil,

My name is Évelin, I'm 18 years old and I live in a small city next to São Paulo called Suzano. I'm sending this message to say that your magazine is helping a lot in our English classes. We are doing a great work preparing the text University for Afrobrazilian and poor people. And our teacher is doing a wonderful work, which is teaching English to a small group so that next year we will be able to teach it in turn to the poor community. I'm so happy because I found people that want a better reality for the poor population.

I'm in a poor course and learning with volunteer teachers and I'm in the second phase of USP. I believe that this attitude will save our dignity and will help creating a new reality for the poor. We are fighting against an uncultured society, and we'll win. Thanks a lot for your articles, which put us in contact with other opinions about Brazil, and help us with our English. I would be grateful if you or any of your readers can answer this message. Thank you very much and good luck to us!

Évelin Daniel dos Santos
Suzano, São Paulo - Brazil
evelindanielsantos@bol.com.br

Abused in Minas

Where in Belo Horizonte would a man turn for help if he were being abused—verbally and emotionally—if his civil rights were being violated? If his wife were screaming constantly and without reason or provocation in front of children from ages 6-13, if his wife were abusing him in front of their children—repeatedly, repeatedly—both in their home and in public?. Where would a man turn for help if this condition has existed for 14 years and had gotten progressively worse? Where would the man turn for help without being in fear of having his spouse take his beloved children away from him? How does he find out what his rights are and who to turn to for help? Any information you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Name Withheld
Brazil, Via Internet

http://www.asmare.org.br

I know this is a long shot, but I am trying to locate a charity called ASMARE (Associação dos Catadores de Papel, Papelão e Material Reaproveitável). Brazzil wrote an article on them in September 1999 www.brazzil.com/rpdsep97.htm. Are they still in existence? Do you have any contact details for them?

Andrea Shufflebotham
Via Internet

Beautiful Game Address

We're writing to tell you about a new site about Brazilian football. It's called www.futebolthebrazilianwayoflife.com and contains news, discussion and resource information about the Brazilian game.

The original idea was for it to be a background site to the book Futebol: The Brazilian Way of Life, since I was approached by many readers who said they wanted to know more. It has since grown to be a general site on Brazilian clubs, the national team and sports politics in Brazil.

In www.futebolthebrazilianwayoflife.com you can:

- Read exclusive articles by Alex Bellos on Brazilian football.

- Join discussion groups about these and other articles.

- Check a database of Brazil's performances in World Cups.

- Discover footballing curiosities from all over Brazil through an interactive map.

- Download pieces of music about Brazilian football.

- Download the entire text of the corruption enquiries into Brazilian football, including Ronaldo's complete testimony.

- See exclusive pictures that didn't make the book.

- Read an extract from the book.

Alex Bellos
Ian Campbell
info@futebolthebrazilianwayoflife.com

U.S.: Brazil's Foe

I find it very predictable that Olavo de Carvalho — "Our Enemy, the USA" — www.brazzil.com/p102dec02.htm  — with his biased views and twisted arguments on the US and globalization would call himself an "intellectual". Isn't it just so cool and trendy to spend one's time complaining about the last super-power in the world? It reminds me of a T-shirt I've once seen that read: "I hate Barbie, the bitch has everything!"

The US has made many mistakes regarding international affairs, no doubt, but why would Mr. Carvalho take the blame on behalf of the Brazilian people for the mistakes that Brazilians themselves have made along the years? Isn't it just so much easier to blame all the poverty, social inequalities, corruption and hunger on the American government, and not on those who have historically controlled the budgets, policies and elections in Brazil—the greedy socio-economical elite? But "I hate the US, the bitch has everything!"

I am—I repeat—not defending their actions, but the simple fact that Americans are bound to make mistakes too if the world repeatedly relies on them to take action and "solve" all international disputes, disasters and ecological problems.

So in his absolute reverie, Mr. Carvalho engages in elaborate conspiracy theories to link the Americans to the Chinese and Ho Chi Minh to the Brazilian military to make the most absurd points including that "Brazil is now ready to accept a war against the US as the most natural thing in the world". I will not even address his comments on September 11, because as a survivor of the attack my gut reaction would be to punch him in the face, and not write.

To conclude, I would like to claim the success of Mr. Carvalho's article. First, it succeeded in distracting me from my daily activities to actually respond to such poorly reasoned arguments behind a plethora of absurd links and pseudo-intellectual arguments. Second, it succeeded in showing that while there is hunger, poverty and injustice in the world, there are also "intellectuals" who do nothing but engage in delusional thinking to blame others for their own problems.

Mr. Carvalho, please get off your pedestal and do something for the world!

Sincerely,

Leandro Veltri.
Via Internet

Olavo de Carvalho responds:

"Dear reader,

I am afraid you read someone else's article, not mine. I remember clearly to have written against Anti-Americanism, so why are you upset?

Olavo de Carvalho

Well Said

Dear Mr. Peter Castles and wife:

I just read your article in Brazzil — "Speak Up, Brazil" - www.brazzil.com/p18sep02.htm — commenting Mr. Menge's article, in which he talks about the "dangerous" Brazilian President Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

I would like to tell you and your wife that I think you both are absolutely right and Mr. Menge is totally wrong. Additionally, I would like to say thanks, in my name and in my friends' name (to whom I sent your nice article) for brilliantly defending your opinion about Lula…It was very good to know that Mr. Menge's opinion do not influence intelligent Americans like you.

Thanks, Mr. Castle and wife!...You both got a new friend in Brazil.

Eraldo Vilar Oliveira
Aracaju, Brazil.

Let's Stop This Game

I have been reading you paper for several years and I would like to say thanks for the inexpensive publication. Many times I want to read an article but find it too lengthy and the print small. With the days so fast paced it would help if the articles were smaller. Do keep up the great work.

I recently requested an application for a visa to Brazil and the cost was 65 dollars for a tourist visa. After I sent out my passport I discovered the following week that it was rejected due to an increase to 100 dollars for a tourist visa. The consulate says that they charge this price due to the U.S. charging the same.

This game of ping pong has been going on for too long and I feel that this will only hurt the tourism for Brazil and it is the poor who will suffer. The United States has to do a more thorough job of screening for terrorist and prevent people from staying here illegally. I don't think Brazil has the same worries on this matter, but needs tourist money as much as possible to help the economy in Brazil. I feel these new measures are counterproductive.

Robert Hardebeck
Via Internet

www.brazzil.com/p35jan01.htm

I would like to know some information as to how I can teach English in Brazil. I am a 2002 Monmouth University graduate with a BA degree in criminal justice. Since both of my parents are from Brazil and I enjoy helping people I would love to teach English in Brazil and also learn from their culture. I would appreciate, whenever you get the chance, to provide me feedback as to how I go about in getting a job as an English teacher in Brazil. In other words, do I send my resume to your company etc...?

Leo
Via Internet

A Job in Brazil

Dear Mrs. Berard,

I live in Ukraine and work as translator (English, German, Russian, Ukrainian) at the Ukrainian Academy of Banking. I have just read some of your articles and have been greatly impressed. I am also very interested in the pressing global issues (including all aspects of life in Brazil).

Unfortunately here where I live I do not have many opportunities for professional growth and opportunities to broaden my scope. I would be very grateful to you if you could advise me (with your experience) on the employment opportunities in Brazil with my knowledge of languages. I do not seek big money. All I want is to be able to live and work in a different environment and to break away from the monotonous and miserable routine here. I can enclose the recommendations of Mr. Faizul Islam—the leading economist of the US Treasury Department. I would be immensely grateful for your help,

Konstantin Kalinovsky
Ukraine

Can I Help?

I'm looking for an orphanage in Salvador Brazil where I could bring a shipment of whatever they need down from the United States. I can't seem to find an orphanage! I would love to help. If you know of any in the Salvador area please let me know. Thanks for your time!

Maria M
Via Internet

Missing Relatives

I am looking for some relatives of mine who were born in Brazil.

The father is Guy Joseph Xavier Hamon

Born Dec. 1, 1930 in Marseille, France

Married April 18, 1955 in São Paulo (18th District)

I am trying to locate the following children.

Guy Henri Xavier Hamon born 12 Oct. 1956 in São Paulo

Danielle Marie Bernadette Hamon born 10 Feb. 1958 in São Paulo

Catherine Marie Doralice Hamon born 24 April 1962 in São Paulo

Geneviève Marie Jose Hamon born 23 Jan. 1970 in Porto Alegre

Their mother was Doralice Maria Baptista Ferri Hamon born 5 May 1926 in Jaboticabal. She is French by marriage and she was a lawyer.

The last information I have of these relatives is dated April 25, 1967.

Mr. Guy Hamon's sister who lives in Seattle, Washington, USA, is trying to locate her brother. I have his address in France, but need other information about his children in Brazil. If there is anyway you can help me I would appreciate if very much.

Don Coffman
University of Washington, Seattle

Getting to Know

I have a friend who often goes to the States and brings Brazzil magazines to me. I enjoy reading them. I would love to get to know Americans who are interested in our culture. I am a teacher and I was once an exchange student in the U.S..

Miss Wal Pessoa
walpessoa@bol.com.br

Water Projects

Gostaria de me apresentar. Sou uma Canadense que morou seis anos no Nordeste e atualmente estou trabalhando num projeto de água subterrânea com CPRM e GSC (o CPRM do Canadá), financiado pelo CIDA. O site do projeto é http://proasne.net/ e meu papel no projeto é Coordenadora Canadense Social e de Gênero. O projeto tem tido algum sucesso. Agora estamos na reta final nos preocupando com a sustentabilidade dos resultados alcançados.

Li alguns artigos na Brazzil e fiquei muito interessada nas suas posições. No momento estou fazendo um trabalho que explora a questão de três fatores necessários para alcançar desenvolvimento sustentável que são:

1. participação comunitária,

2. tecnologia útil com uso efetivo do capital,

3. implementação pelos governos estaduais e federal.

Notei num artigo da revista uma lista de vários projetos sobre a irrigação do Rio São Francisco que começaram e depois foram abandonados. Gostaria muito de incluir sua opinião sobre desenvolvimento sustentável para este trabalho agora e também, se for possível, um encontro no futuro para explorar mais estes assuntos. Estarei no Nordeste em março com o pessoal do projeto e seria interessante ver a possibilidade de uma reunião.

S N
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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